11.24.2014

I'm teaming up with Macy's to share some fabulous gift ideas for the hostess this season!It's that time of year already. Time to start shopping for holiday gifts. And today I have a fun gift guide for you. Do you have a hostess on your holiday gift list? That person who is always ready to welcome others and who always has the perfect ideas to entertain? Finding a gift for the hostess on your list doesn't have to be intimidating. Try a tiered serving tray or perhaps some plated silverware. Here are some great ideas for the hostess with the mostest...

I am thankful for so many things in my life. So as I sat pondering what it was that I wanted to share with you today for Thankful Thursday, I had a hard time narrowing it down. But then I thought of the blog. Of the fact that I can share my thoughts with people all over the world. This blog has been a blessing to me in so many ways, I would be ungrateful indeed if I didn't include it as a part of Thankful Thursday.

11.18.2014

It has been our family tradition since the kiddos were tiny to go to a Christmas tree farm and cut down our tree. This year, with our new house, I decided that it would be nice to have more than one tree. A formal tree for the living room and a fun tree in the family room. Not being willing to give up on the tradition of cutting down a tree, I decided that the live tree would go in the family room, but I liked the idea of a fake tree for the living room. Especially since the room is "cozier" (read that as small) and I thought a slim tree would work well.

The tree I chose is a 7' tall slim tree from Balsam Hill and it's the perfect size. So I was really excited when I pulled it out and set it up. That's when I started wishing I had chosen a pre-lit tree. (They make those now, Wendy). But no, some inexplicable side of me wanted to put the lights on the tree myself so I opted for an unlit version.

I pulled out the Christmas lights and started wrapping the tree with them. I was enjoying myself and the tree was quickly filling up with lights. My rule of thumb is approximately 1 strand of 100 lights for each foot of tree. I had more than enough strands. Or so I thought. Until one didn't light, and another one burnt out. You see it coming, right? I only got lights up half the tree, when I realized that I was going to have to run to the store.

I packed the boys in the car and we ventured out in the freezing cold (of course it was the coldest day of the year so far) to run to the grocery store for lights. I bought three packs. It would be the perfect amount to finish the tree. I got them home and my youngest helped me pull them out of the box. In my haste, I had purchased lights with white cord. Sigh.

Today I wanted to revive a tradition I had a few years ago on the blog. You see, I absolutely love Thanksgiving. And unfortunately, I feel like it is the forgotten holiday. Sandwiched between Halloween -a holiday that celebrates free candy- and Christmas (admittedly my favorite) poor Thanksgiving seems to get lost in the shuffle.

So this month, I want to take a minute each Thursday and focus on something I'm thankful for. After all, as I mentioned in this post, even in the middle of turbulent and difficult times, there is always something to be grateful for.

I will not deny that this year has been a difficult one. Getting divorced is never easy. But despite the hardships of wading through that difficulty, this year has also been full of amazing blessings that I never want to deny or forget.

This week I am particularly grateful for the ability I have to provide for my family. My children are my everything and the fact that I have the means to put a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food in their bellies means the world to me.

I encourage you, my dear readers, to take a minute today and consider the things you are thankful for. Even if life is horribly difficult for you at the moment, I promise that there is something within it to be grateful for. Find it, cling to it, and most of all acknowledge it!

11.05.2014

Each November, we have a family tradition to help us get ready for Thanksgiving by remembering everything we're thankful for. We make a Thankful Tree. I started this tradition with the kiddos when they were quite little, and the photos I'm going to share with you today are from the first Thankful Tree that we made.

It's really simple to put together, is fun to display, and has meaning - which is an important part of creating traditions.

11.03.2014

This first week of November is shaping up to be a busy one for me! And I'm really hoping that I'll get to see some of you, my lovely readers....so I'm sharing this week's calendar with you.

On Tuesday, I'll be at Gatehouse No. 1 in Orem for a book signing from 6-6:30. They're having their annual after hours Holiday Party with all kinds of other stuff going on that evening as well, so make sure and put it on your calendar!

via Gatehouse No. 1

Then on Wednesday at noon, I'll be teaching a class on Holiday Table Settings at Gatehouse! I'm so excited for this...I have a soft spot for table settings...I even won a table setting contest in Jr. High. I know your opinion of me just went up a few notches, right? Ha!

And finally, on Friday at 3 pm, I'll be speaking at The Pinners Conference! My topic? Decorating for Real Life, of course! I'm excited to share some great ideas...so if you find yourself at the Pinners Conference on Friday afternoon, make sure and stop by my class! You can even use my code SHABBY NEST for $5 off your ticket!!